Suleiman Reiterates Calls on Lebanese to Abide by Dissociation Policy

President Michel Suleiman called on the Lebanese on Saturday to abide by the Baabda declaration, expressing hope that the abducted men and the Syrian refugees would be able to return to their home soon.

“The Lebanese should abide by the Baabda declaration and refrain from sending arms and fighters to Syria to maintain civil peace and stability,” Suleiman said in his Orthodox Easter message.

The Baabda Declaration was unanimously adopted during a national dialogue session in June 2012. It calls for Lebanon to disassociate itself from regional crises, most notably the one in Syria.

He pointed out that “our nation shouldn't be sacrificed and it should be safeguarded from all the developments surrounding it,” the President said.

Suleiman reiterated calls for the International community to respect Lebanon's sovereignty and stability so that it remains a model for coexistence and democracy.

Lebanese parties are sharply divided over the crisis in Syria as the March 8 alliance continuously expresses its support to Syrian president Bashar Assad, while the March 14 camp voices its support for the popular revolt.

The international community and analysts have expressed fears that the conflict in Syria may spill over into the Lebanon.

On Saturday, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees said in its weekly report that nearly 453,000 Syrian refugees fled the crackdown in their country to Lebanon.